The Orphic Hymn to Mars

in Renaissance Astrological Magic


Mars

Orpheus and Invoking Mars



Mars
Mars

Orpheus was a legendary poet, philosopher and musician of Thrace to whom the Orphic Mysteries were attributed. Many works and poems were attributed to Orpheus and of these the most famous are the 87 Hymns of Orpheus. Here is more information on Orpheus and the Orphic Hymns. Here are the Orphic Hymns to:
Saturn
Jupiter
Mars
the Sun
Venus
Mercury
the Moon

A key use of the Orphic Hymns is invoking the planetary spirits. The ancient astrological grimoire Picatrix says of Mars that,

"He signifies destruction, wicked deeds, depopulation of homes and cities, drying up and damming of rivers, fire, combustion, controversies, blood, all passions while they are being felt, bad and distorted judgment, oppressions, sorrows, manslaughter and all manner of destruction, demolition, lawsuits, wars, battles, terrors, discord between people, anxieties and miseries, pain, wounds, prisons, misery, escape, litigation, stupidity, treacheries, and all things that are cursed without sense or reason—ordinary happiness, lying, ungratefulness, ordinary life, shame, encounters on the roads, landlessness and lack of solace, discords, sharpness and angers, doing things that are prohibited by the laws, fear, ordinary legalities, betrayals, all kinds of false promises and assessments, wicked deeds involving copulation with women in forbidden ways, such as those who desire beasts and other animals and strange women, infanticide and destroying living things and abortion, robbery, treasons and deceptions, all manner of frauds, feeling miserable, brooding, thefts of clothing and shoes, highway robbery, those who break walls by night, those who break down doors, and evil deeds of every kinds, as well as all things remote from truth and lawfulness."

Picatrix, Bk III, ch. 7.

One of the most important parts of creating astrological talismans or invoking planetary spirits is to ensure auspicious astrological conditions. Once the astrological conditions are right, Picatrix explains

"When you wish to ask Mars for something, and speak to him and honor him, put him in a good [astrological] condition...Dress yourself in red garments, and put a red linen or silk cloth on your head as well as a red skullcap, and hang a sword from your neck, and arm yourself with all the weapons you can carry; and dress yourself in the manner of a soldier or a fighter, and put a bronze ring on your finger. "

Picatrix, Bk III, ch. 7. Here is more about planetary invocation using the Orphic Hymns.

Here is more information on Mars and our Currently Available Mars talismans and all Currently Available Talismans. You can learn the how to create the full range of traditional astrological talismans in the Astrological Magic Course. Here are all Renaissance Astrology Astrology & Magic Courses.

The Orphic Hymn to Mars


Chapter LXIV.

The Orphic Hymn to Mars

The Fumigation from Frankincense

Magnanimous, unconquer'd, boistrous Mars,
In darts rejoicing, and in bloody wars
Fierce and untam'd, whose mighty pow'r can make
The strongest walls from their foundations shake:
Mortal destroying king, defil'd with gore,
Pleas'd with war's dreadful and tumultuous roar:
Thee, human blood, and swords, and spears delight,
And the dire ruin of mad savage fight.
Stay, furious contests, and avenging strife,
Whose works with woe, embitter human life; 10
To lovely Venus, and to Bacchus yield,
To Ceres give the weapons of the field;
Encourage peace, to gentle works inclin'd,
And give abundance, with benignant mind.